About The Workshop
CIMA, in partnership with Young Music Professionals (YMP), is hosting a day-long, in-person workshop on June 2 for music professionals who are ready to move into the next stage of their careers.
Next Step is a practical leadership workshop for emerging and mid-career music professionals who already have their foot in the door and want to grow into more senior, decision-making roles. Drawing on The Art of Managing Your Career and proven leadership tools, this session will help you:
- Understand key business and leadership models relevant to the music industry
- Reflect on your strengths, values, and working style through guided self-evaluation
- Better understand the market, yourself, and your projects
- Clarify your career direction and map out realistic, actionable next steps
Through a mix of presentations, peer conversation, and hands-on exercises, you’ll work directly on your own career path, not just theory. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of what leadership can look like for you, and practical tools you can use to navigate your next moves.
Careers in the music industry can be complex and difficult to navigate. This workshop is designed to give you the frameworks, language, and confidence to make more informed choices and shape a career that fits your goals.
This session is guided by Culture Works Canada (CWC), led by Dr. Grégoire Gagnon. It is designed to bring together emerging music professionals to develop leadership skills, share perspectives, and support the next generation of industry leaders.
Workshop Format
This program includes two components:
- Virtual Session: May 28, 1:00–2:00 PM ET
(Available on demand; live participation is strongly encouraged) - In-Person Workshop: June 2
Location: It’s Ok Studios (468 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B2)*
Participants are expected to engage with both components as part of the program.
Who is this for?
This workshop is best suited for:
- Early- to mid-career music professionals already working in the industry
- Individuals looking to step into leadership roles (e.g., manager, director, team or project lead)
- Participants ready to think seriously and strategically about their long-term career path
Capacity and Registration
Space is limited, with a set number of spots reserved for:
- CIMA members
- Young Music Professionals (YMP) members
This is a curated workshop, and submitting the registration form does not guarantee a spot. Selected participants will receive a confirmation email with full details.
Registration deadline: May 25 (end of day)
Culture Works Canada (CWC)
Culture Works Canada (CWC), formerly the Cultural Human Resources Council, is a registered national arts service organization with charitable status. Its Mission is to strengthen the Canadian cultural workforce by providing leadership and innovative solutions to human resource issues and to better the HR environment within the cultural sector.
CWC provides research, training, solutions and resources to Canadian cultural industry and artistic discipline establishments (businesses and non-profit organizations) individuals (employers and workers) in Live Performing Arts; Writing and Publishing; Visuals Arts and Crafts; Film, Television and Broadcasting; Digital Media; Music and Sound Recording; and Heritage. CHRC also works on cross-sector issues such as Cultural Management, Career Management and Export Marketing. All of the above in both official languages.
About the Speaker
Dr. Grégoire Gagnon is a manager, pedagogue and musician fostering culture and promoting arts from the stage to the classroom to the boardroom. Aside from being a lifelong academic and a real-world problem solver, Grégoire is (amongst other things) currently the Executive Director of the Culture Works Canada, a Professor at HÉC Montréal, the Treasurer for the Ottawa Guitar Society and in all of his roles, he strives to make others thrive.